Bihar on alert as Nepal floods raise Gandak surge threat, all 36 barrage gates opened

Bihar was put on high alert after floods in Nepal raised the possibility of a sudden rise in Gandak river discharge. Authorities opened all 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar and stepped up rescue and relief preparations

Patna: Bihar was put on alert over the possibility of a sudden rise in the Gandak river’s water discharge following flash floods in several districts of neighbouring Nepal on Wednesday, prompting the state authorities to open all 36 gates of a barrage on the river to help control the situation, officials said.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary convened a meeting with the Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit and other top officials to review the situation.

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All concerned have been directed to remain on “high alert”, take all necessary measures in a timely manner, and maintain continuous vigil over the situation, officials said.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, who also holds the Water Resources department (WRD) portfolio, said that around 86,000 cusecs of water was discharged from the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar around noon, with the trend showing a further rise.

“The WRD has taken immediate precautionary measures. All 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar have been opened, and a technical team led by a Superintending Engineer has been deployed at the barrage. Warnings have also been issued to all districts in the Gandak river basin”, said the deputy CM.

Opening of 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage can facilitate the flow of the water and help control the flood situation, officials of the department said.

He said the water level of the Narayani river at the Devghat gauge site in Nepal stood at 4.77 metres, against a danger level of 9 metres and a warning level of 7.30 metres. If the river level rises further, the surge is expected to reach the Gandak Barrage in around 3.5 hours, they said.

Choudhary said the state needs to remain on alert for the next five to six hours and throughout the night following floods in Nepal. He said the situation was more serious than before but remained under control for now.

Appealing to the people to remain alert but not panic, the deputy CM said the chief minister was personally monitoring the situation.

There was currently no report of a rise in the water level of the Kosi river, he added.

A sudden, massive flood swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet, killing four people, causing extensive devastation at settlements along the river and damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects early Wednesday.

Departmental officials have been directed to ensure all preparations in view of a possible emergency, maintain continuous vigilance and monitoring, stock essential materials, and ensure regular inspection of embankments.

A review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit was held on Wednesday with district magistrates and senior police officials of the bordering districts, the statement said.

District authorities have been directed to complete all rescue and relief preparations and closely monitor the situation, it said.

Special vigilance has been ordered in West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali, besides other vulnerable districts such as Sitamarhi and Sheohar.

“Officials have been asked to monitor water levels of Gandak and other rivers, embankments, low-lying areas, bridges and other vulnerable locations and alert local communities in time. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team will be sent to Gopalganj, while another will be kept on standby in Muzaffarpur,” said the statement.

Arrangements are also being made for deployment of an NDRF team in Bettiah. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has assured additional QRT support, if required, it said.

District administrations have been directed to keep evacuation plans, boats, shelters and community kitchens ready.

The government said additional NDRF/SDRF teams, boats and other resources would be deployed as required.